Wind power outdoes nuclear in first three months of year

According to a report from Imperial College London, wind power overtook nuclear in terms of the amount of electricity produced in the first three months of 2018.

The combination of wind and solar had already achieved this in the last three months of 2017, but this is the first time that wind power alone has surpassed nuclear.

The report states that wind power was second only to gas for electricity generation, having been responsible for 18.8% of electricity generation that quarter. Wind power also provided half of the UK’s power for a short period, and contributed substantial generation that helped meet the extra demand during the colder days in the first quarter.

The rise in wind power was partially supported by a new power cable between Scotland and Wales that went live at the end of last year. Scottish windfarms would have otherwise needed to be turned off at points to help the National Grid, but instead the excess power could now be transferred to Wales. This also helped save the National Grid money, because it needs to pay windfarm owners for any curtailment. This year’s curtailment costs have already been reduced by around two thirds.

While wind power seems to go from strength to strength, including the use of advanced lubricants from Mobil UK stockists, some MPs have suggested that government policy changes have caused a drastic drop in renewable investment since 2015. In 2017 alone, clean energy investment dropped by 56%.